Washing machine and operation method thereof

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is the operation method of a washing machine, including: a washing step for washing laundry; a rinsing step for rinsing the laundry by supplying water after performing the washing step and including a remaining water removal process; and a final dehydrating step for dehydrating the laundry after performing the rinsing step. The detergent solution with a certain concentration remaining inside the washing machine can be removed through the remaining water removal process, thereby preventing the contamination of supplied clean water due to the detergent solution, thus to smooth the rinsing process of the laundry. In addition, a problem of detergent remnants in the laundry after the rinsing step can be solved.

RELATED APPLICATION

The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in priority Korean Application No. 10-2007-0090116, filed on Sep. 5, 2007, which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a washing machine and an operation method thereof.

2. Background of the Invention

In general, an operation method of a washing machine may include a washing step for washing laundry, a rinsing step for supplying water or circulating water after performing the washing step so as to rinse the laundry, and a dehydrating step for dehydrating the laundry after performing the rinsing step.

The rinsing step is performed in an order of water supply, intermittent dehydration and main dehydration, while supplying clean water to the laundry. In addition, in order to enhance the rinsing effect, the rising step may be repeated for several times between the washing step and the dehydrating step.

Meanwhile, after the main dehydrating step is completed, a detergent solution with a certain concentration would remain within a washing machine. Thus, even though clean water would be supplied to rinse the laundry, the clean water would be mixed with the detergent solution, thus to be polluted.

Accordingly, the rinsing step for the laundry cannot be smoothly performed, thus to cause a problem of having detergent remnants remaining in the laundry even after the rinsing step.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an operation method of a washing machine equipped with enhanced rinsing performance. Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine which can independently perform a remaining water removal function.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided an operation method of a washing machine, including: a washing step for washing laundry, a rinsing step for rinsing the laundry by supplying water after performing the washing step and including a remaining water removal process, and a final dehydrating step for dehydrating the laundry after performing the rinsing step.

Preferably, the remaining water removal process is performed in an order of water supply, water supply suspension and drain, and the rinsing step is repeated for several times between the washing step and the dehydrating step.

Preferably, the remaining water removal process is included only in any one of the repeated rinsing steps or in all of the repeated rinsing steps.

Alternatively, it is preferable that the rinsing step is sequentially performed through a first rinsing step, a second rinsing step and a third rinsing step. In each of the first, second and third rinsing steps, a series of processes including drain, intermittent dehydration, main dehydration, remaining water removal process, water supply and rinsing process are sequentially performed.

Also, it is preferable that the rinsing step is sequentially performed through a first rinsing step, a second rinsing step and a third rinsing step. In the first rinsing step, steps of drain, intermittent dehydration, main dehydration, remaining water removal process, water supply and rinse are sequentially performed. And in the second and third rinsing steps, steps of drain, intermittent dehydration, main dehydration, water supply and rinse are sequentially performed.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a washing machine having a remaining water removal button for independently performing a remaining water removal function, which is sequentially performed through the steps of water supply, water supply suspension and drain.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a washing machine, including: a cabinet forming an external appearance, a tub disposed inside the cabinet and storing washing water, a drum rotatably mounted inside the tub and receiving laundry, a driving motor for rotating the drum, a detergent supply device for supplying water mixed with a detergent to the tub, a water supply device having a plurality of valves for supplying or suspending water to the detergent supply device, a drain pump for pumping water stored in the tub to the outside, and a control panel for receiving an inputting of a manipulation command from a user so as to control an entire operation of the washing machine and provided with a remaining water removal button. Preferably, if the remaining water removal button is pressed, the water supply device supplies water to the tub for a certain period of time, and the drain pump performs a remaining water removal process in which water inside the tub is drained to the outside.

The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a drum type washing machine driven by an operation method of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view of a control panel having a remaining water removal button in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an operation method of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an operation method of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Description will now be given in detail of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, description of the operation method of a washing machine will be given in detail according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a drum type washing machine driven by an operation method of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exemplary view of a control panel having a remaining water removal button in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, the drum type washing machine driven by the operation method of a washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a cabinet 5 forming an external appearance, a tub 3 disposed inside the cabinet 5 and storing washing water, a drum 9 rotatably mounted inside the tub 3 and receiving laundry, a driving motor 7, 8 for rotating the drum 9, a rotation shaft 17 for transferring a rotation force of the driving motor 7, 8 to the drum 9, a bearing 11 for supporting the rotation shaft 17, a sealing member 13 for preventing a leakage of water between the tub 3 and the drum 9 into the bearing 11, a detergent supply device 30 for supplying water mixed with a detergent to the tub 3, a water supply device 20 having a plurality of valves for supplying or suspending water to the detergent supply device 30, a drain pump 40 for pumping water stored in the tub 3 to the outside, and a control panel 70 for receiving an inputting of a manipulation command from a user so as to control an entire operation of the washing machine.

A door 1 is disposed at the front of the cabinet 5, and a gasket 2 is mounted between the door 1 and the tub 3.

A stopping spring 4 for supporting the tub 3 is disposed between an upper inner surface of the cabinet 5 and an upper side of an outer circumferential surface of the tub 3, and a friction damper 10 for reducing vibration of the tub 3 is disposed between a lower inner surface of the cabinet 5 and a lower side of the outer circumferential surface of the tub 3.

A plurality of lifters 9 a are installed inside the drum 9 so as to lift up and down the laundry.

The driving motor 7, 8 may include a stator 7 serving as a direct drive (DD) motor and having a coil wound onto a slot, and a rotor 8 rotating at an outer circumferential surface of the stator 7 and having a permanent magnet 12 therein.

The stator 7 is coupled to a rear wall of the tub 3 by a plurality of coupling members 19.

The rotor 8 is coupled at a rear end of the rotation shaft 17 by a coupling member 18.

If power is applied to the coil of the stator 7, the stator 7 is electromagnetized and interacts with the permanent magnet 12 that is attached inside the rotor 8, thereby rotating the rotor 8. The rotation force of the rotor 8 is transferred to the drum 9 via the rotation shaft 17.

The bearing 11 is installed inside a bearing housing 15, and includes a front bearing disposed at the front of the rotation shaft 17 and a rear bearing disposed at the rear of the rotation shaft 17.

The sealing member 13 is installed on an outer circumference of the rotation shaft 17 so as to insert the rotation shaft 17, thereby preventing a leakage of water between the tub 3 and the drum 9 into the bearing 11.

The detergent supply device 30 is configured to mix supplied water with a detergent, thus to supply the same to the tub 3 via a supply pipe 31. For instance, the detergent supply device 30 may be configured to have a case, and a detergent container disposed inside the case and storing a variety of detergents therein.

A siphon pipe is formed at a bottom of the detergent container. A water supply inlet connected to a connection pipe 22 is formed at an upper side of the ease, and a detergent outlet connected to the supply pipe 31 is formed at a bottom of the case.

With the above-described configuration, water supplied through the connection pipe 22 is mixed with the detergent stored in the detergent container, and then comes out of the detergent container at a certain water level via the siphon pipe. The water mixed with the detergent, coming out of the detergent container, is supplied to the tub 3 via the supply pipe 31.

The water supply device 20 may include a supply pipe 21 connected to an external source of water supply, and the connection pipe 22 connected to the detergent supply device 30.

The drain pump 40 may include a drain pipe 41 connected to a lower side of the tub 3, and a connection pipe 42 connected to an external drain.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the control panel 70 is provided with the remaining water removal button 71 which can perform independently the remaining water removal process, if desired by the user. That is, if the user presses the remaining water removal button 71 to remove the remaining water in the tub 3, the remaining water removal process is performed. Such remaining water removal process is comprised of a water supply process in which the water supply device 20 supplies water to the tub 3 via the detergent supply device 30 and the supply pipe 31, a water supply suspension process which suspends water supply, and a drain process in which the drain pump 40 is operated to discharge the remaining water to the outside via the drain pipe 41 connected to the lower side of the tub 3. Such remaining water removal button 71 enables the user to select an option to remove the remaining water inside the washing machine at any time, thereby providing a convenience to the user.

Hereinafter, description of the operation method of the washing machine will be given in detail according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an operation method of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the operation method of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a washing step S10 for washing laundry, a rinsing step S20 for rinsing the laundry by supplying water after performing the washing step and including a remaining water removal process S44, and a final dehydrating step S30 for dehydrating the laundry after performing the rinsing step.

In the washing step S10, the detergent supply device 30 is configured to mix water supplied from the water supply device 20 with the stored detergent, and to supply the water mixed with the detergent to the tub 3 via the supply pipe 31. Next, the driving motor 7, 8 is configured to rotate the drum 9 in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, thereby washing the laundry in a dropping or reciprocal friction manner.

The rinsing step S20 is repeated for several times between the washing step S10 and the final dehydrating step S30 so as to enhance the rinsing performance. In this embodiment, the rinsing step S20 includes a first rinsing step S21, a second rinsing step S22, and a third rinsing step S23. Such rinsing step S20 is repeated for 3 times. To be certain, the rising step may be repeated for more than 3 times for more enhanced rinsing performance.

The first, second and third rinsing steps S21, S22 and S23 are sequentially performed. In each of the three rinsing steps S21, S22 and S23, a series of processes, including a drain S41, intermittent dehydration S42, main dehydration S43, remaining water removal process S44, water supply S45 and rinse S46, is sequentially performed.

The drain process S41 refers to a process in which the drain pump 40 discharges washing water in the lower side of the tub 3 to the outside via the drain pipe 41 and the connection pipe 42.

The intermittent dehydration process S42 refers to a process in which, before proceeding to the main dehydration process S43, the driving motor 7, 8 dehydrates the laundry while rotating the drum 9 at a low speed (350-400 rpm) in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. This intermittent dehydration process S42 disentangles the tangled laundry, thereby preventing an unbalanced state of the drum 9, thus to prevent an occurrence of vibration and noise when dehydrating the laundry.

The main dehydration process S43 refers to a process which dehydrates the laundry by rotating the drum 9 at a high speed (800-1200 rpm) after performing the intermittent dehydration process S42.

The water supply process S45 refers to a process in which the water supply device 20 supplies water to the tub 3 via the supply pipe 31.

The rinsing step S46 refers to a process in which the driving motor 7, 8 rotates the drum 9 in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction so as to rinse the laundry.

The remaining water removal process S44 refers to a process which removes detergent solution remaining inside the washing machine after performing the main dehydration process S43. For this, the remaining water removal process S44 may include a water supply process S61 in which the water supply device 20 supplies water to the tub 3 via the detergent supply device 30 and the supply pipe 31, a water supply suspension process S62 for suspending the water supply, and a drain process S63 which operates the drain pump 40 to discharge the remaining water to the outside via the drain pipe 41 connected to the lower side of the tub 3. Thusly, the rinsing step S20 includes the remaining water removal process S44. After the main dehydration process S43 is completed, the detergent solution with a certain concentration remaining inside the washing machine would be removed through the remaining water removal process. Accordingly, clean water supplied is not contaminated by the remaining detergent solution, thereby smoothing the rinsing process of the laundry. In addition, detergent remnants can be prevented from being remained in the laundry after performing the rinsing step.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an operation method of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the operation method of a washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include a washing step S10 for washing laundry, a rinsing step S20′ for rinsing the laundry by supplying water after performing the washing step S10 and including a remaining water removal process S44, and a final dehydration process S30 for dehydrating the laundry after performing the rinsing step S20′.

In the washing step S10, the detergent supply device 30 mixes the water supplied from the water supply device 20 with the stored detergent, and then supplies the water mixed with the detergent to the tub 3 via the supply pipe 31. Then, the driving motor 7, 8 rotates the drum 9 in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction, thereby washing the laundry in a dropping or reciprocal friction manner.

The rinsing step S20′ is repeated for several times between the washing step S10 and the final dehydration step S30 so as to enhance the rinsing performance. In this embodiment, the rinsing step S20′ includes a first rinsing step S21′, a second rinsing step S22′ and a third rinsing step S23′. Such rinsing step S20′ is repeated for 3 times. To be certain, the rising step may be repeated for more than 3 times for more enhanced rinsing performance.

The first, second and third rinsing steps S21′, S22′ and S23′ are sequentially performed.

In the first rinsing step S21′, a series of processes including drain S41, intermittent dehydration S42, main dehydration S43, remaining water removal process S44, water supply S45 and rinse S46, is sequentially performed. Meanwhile, in the second and third rinsing steps S22′ and S23′, a series of processes including drain S51, intermittent dehydration S52, main dehydration S53, water supply S54 and rinse S55, is sequentially performed.

The drain processes S41 and S51 refer to the process in which the drain pump 40 discharges washing water in the lower side of the tub 3 to the outside via the drain pipe 41 and the connection pipe 42.

The intermittent dehydration processes S42 and S52 refer to the process in which, before proceeding to the main dehydration process S43, the driving motor 7, 8 dehydrates the laundry while rotating the drum 9 at a low speed (350-400 rpm) in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. This intermittent dehydration processes S42 and S52 disentangle the tangled laundry, thereby preventing an unbalanced state of the drum 9, thus to prevent an occurrence of vibration and noise when dehydrating the laundry.

The main dehydration processes S43 and S53 refer to the process which dehydrates the laundry by rotating the drum 9 at a high speed (800-1200 rpm) after performing the intermittent dehydration processes S42 and S52.

The water supply processes S45 and S54 refer to the process in which the water supply device 20 supplies water to the tub 3 via the supply pipe 31.

The rinsing steps S46 and S55 refer to the process in which the driving motor 7, 8 rotates the drum 9 in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction so as to rinse the laundry.

The remaining water removal process S44 refers to a process which removes detergent solution remaining inside the washing machine after performing the main dehydration process S43. For this, the remaining water removal process S44 may include a water supply process S61 in which the water supply device 20 supplies water to the tub 3 via the detergent supply device 30 and the supply pipe 31, a water supply suspension process S62 for suspending the water supply, and a drain process S63 which operates the drain pump 40 to discharge the remaining water to the outside via the drain pipe 41 connected to the lower side of the tub 3. Thusly, the rinsing step S20 includes the remaining water removal process S44. After the main dehydration process S43 is completed, the detergent solution with a certain concentration remaining inside the washing machine would be removed through the remaining water removal process. Accordingly, clean water is supplied, thereby smoothing the rinsing process of the laundry. In addition, detergent remnants can be prevented from being remained in the laundry after performing the rinsing step.

In addition, in the second embodiment, the remaining water removal process S44 is included only in the first rinsing step S21′. This is because the first rinsing step S21′ is performed immediately after the washing step S10, the greatest amount of the detergent solution would remain inside the washing machine. Accordingly, performing the remaining water removal process S44 only in the first rinsing step S21′ enables to remove an amount of water supply for removing the remaining water as well as to enhance the remaining water removal effect.

As so far described, the operation method of a washing machine is provided with the rinsing step having the remaining water removal process between the main dehydration step and the water supply step. Accordingly, after the main dehydration is completed, the detergent solution with a certain concentration remaining inside the washing machine can be removed through the remaining water removal process, thereby preventing the contamination of supplied clean water due to the detergent solution, thus to smooth the rinsing process of the laundry. Further, after the rinsing step is performed, a problem of detergent remnants in the laundry can be solved.

In addition, if the remaining water removal process is included only in the first (initial) rinsing step among the plurality of rinsing steps, the amount of water supply for removing the remaining water can be reduced as well as the remaining water removal effect can be enhanced.

Further, the remaining water removal button enables the user to select an option to remove remaining water inside the washing machine at any time, thereby providing a convenience to the user.

As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims. 

1. An operation method of a washing machine, comprising: a washing step for washing laundry; a rinsing step for rinsing the laundry by supplying water after performing the washing step and including a remaining water removal process; and a final dehydrating step for dehydrating the laundry after performing the rinsing step.
 2. The operation method of claim 1, wherein the remaining water removal process is performed in an order of water supply, water supply suspension and drain.
 3. The operation method of claim 1, wherein the rinsing step is repeated for several times between the washing step and the dehydrating step.
 4. The operation method of claim 3, wherein the remaining water removal process is included only in any one of the repeated rinsing steps or in all of the repeated rinsing steps.
 5. The operation method of claim 3, wherein the rinsing step is sequentially performed through drain, intermittent dehydration, main dehydration, remaining water removal process, water supply and rinse process.
 6. The operation method of claim 3, wherein the rinsing step is sequentially performed through a first rinsing step, a second rinsing step and a third rinsing step, and in each of the first, second and third rinsing steps, a series of processes including drain, intermittent dehydration, main dehydration, remaining water removal process, water supply and rinsing process is sequentially performed.
 7. The operation method of claim 3, wherein the remaining water removal process is included only in the first rinsing step among the plurality of rinsing steps.
 8. The operation method of claim 3, wherein the rinsing step is sequentially performed through a first rinsing step, a second rinsing step and a third rinsing step, wherein, in the first rinsing step, steps of drain, intermittent dehydration, main dehydration, remaining water removal process, water supply and rinse are sequentially performed, and wherein, in the second and third rinsing steps, steps of drain, intermittent dehydration, main dehydration, water supply and rinse are sequentially performed.
 9. A washing machine having a remaining water removal button for independently performing a remaining water removal function, which is sequentially performed through the steps of water supply, water supply suspension and drain.
 10. A washing machine, comprising: a cabinet forming an external appearance; a tub disposed inside the cabinet and storing washing water; a drum rotatably mounted inside the tub and receiving laundry; a driving motor for rotating the drum; a detergent supply device for supplying water mixed with a detergent to the tub; a water supply device having a plurality of valves for supplying or suspending water to the detergent supply device; a drain pump for pumping water stored in the tub to the outside; and a control panel for receiving an inputting of a manipulation command from a user so as to control an entire operation of the washing machine and provided with a remaining water removal button.
 11. The washing machine of claim 10, wherein, if the remaining water removal button is pressed, the water supply device supplies water to the tub for a certain period of time, and the drain pump performs a remaining water removal process in which water inside the tub is drained to the outside. 